Polyurethane-based membrane systems

Immobilization of Datura innoxia cells in calcium alginate has been reported by Brodelius and Nilsson (184). The cells could be permeabilized with 10-25% DMSO. Cells of Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus mu-tic us have been immobilized in polyurethane foam (340). Hamilton et al. (294) reported a novel membrane-based culture system for callus and root cultures of Atropa belladonna. 

Membrane-reservoir systems based on solution-diffusion mechanism have been utilized in different forms for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. These systems including membrane devices, microcapsules, liposomes, and hollow fibres have been applied to a number of areas ranging from birth control, transdermal delivery, to cancer therapy. Various polymeric materials including silicone rubber, ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, polyurethanes, and hydrogels have been employed in the fabrication of such membrane-reservoir systems (13). 

Yoon et al. [48] proposed a liquid junction free polymer membrane-based reference electrode system for blood analysis under flowing conditions. They used silicmi wafers as well as ceramic substrate to fabricate ion selective sensors with an integrated reference electrode. The silver chloride layer was coated with a membrane based on aromatic polyurethane (PU 40 membrane) with equimolar amounts of both cathodic and anodic lipophilic additives (TDMACl and KTpCIPB) to reduce the electrical resistance (see Chaps. 12 and 13). The ceramic-based sensors were fabricated by screen-printing methods. Both reference electrodes showed a rather stable potential in various electrolyte solutions with different pH values and different concentrations of clinically relevant ions, providing that the ionic strength of the solution is over 0.01 M. The integrated ISE cartridge based on the ceramic chip could be used continuously for a week. 

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